GCC: Postcard Market 2025

Postcard Market Size in GCC

The GCC postcard market soared to $X in 2021, increasing by 66% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate a abrupt slump. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Postcard Production in GCC

In value terms, postcard production contracted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a sharp downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 44%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Postcard Exports

Exports in GCC

For the fourth consecutive year, GCC recorded decline in shipments abroad of printed or illustrated postcards and printed cards, which decreased by -58.1% to X tons in 2021. Overall, exports showed a sharp shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 157% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, postcard exports reduced to $X in 2021. In general, exports faced a precipitous setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 99%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

The United Arab Emirates dominates exports structure, amounting to X tons, which was near 81% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Oman (X kg), Kuwait (X kg) and Bahrain (X kg), together comprising a 16% share of total exports. Saudi Arabia (X kg) took a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to postcard exports from the United Arab Emirates stood at -17.5%. Kuwait (-9.7%), Bahrain (-15.0%), Oman (-44.0%) and Saudi Arabia (-45.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of the United Arab Emirates (+75 p.p.), Kuwait (+4.7 p.p.) and Bahrain (+4.4 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Saudi Arabia (-6.2 p.p.) and Oman (-11.5 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) remains the largest postcard supplier in GCC, comprising 86% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Bahrain ($X), with a 6.1% share of total exports. It was followed by Oman, with a 3% share.

In the United Arab Emirates, postcard exports decreased by an average annual rate of -18.8% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Bahrain (+3.5% per year) and Oman (-39.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in GCC amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 104% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a significant expansion. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Bahrain ($X per ton), while Oman ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bahrain (+21.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Postcard Imports

Imports in GCC

In 2021, imports of printed or illustrated postcards and printed cards in GCC surged to X tons, increasing by 41% on 2020. Overall, imports, however, saw a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 76%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, postcard imports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 68%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

The United Arab Emirates was the largest importer of printed or illustrated postcards and printed cards in GCC, with the volume of imports reaching X tons, which was approx. 67% of total imports in 2021. Qatar (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Kuwait (X tons) and Oman (X tons). All these countries together took near 29% share of total imports. Bahrain (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to postcard imports into the United Arab Emirates stood at -10.8%. Bahrain (-2.4%), Kuwait (-3.1%), Qatar (-3.4%) and Oman (-7.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of the United Arab Emirates (+15 p.p.), Qatar (+11 p.p.), Kuwait (+4.2 p.p.), Bahrain (+2.7 p.p.) and Oman (+2.3 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported printed or illustrated postcards and printed cards in GCC, comprising 71% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Qatar ($X), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by Kuwait, with a 7.3% share.

In the United Arab Emirates, postcard imports contracted by an average annual rate of -10.6% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Qatar (-4.3% per year) and Kuwait (+2.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in GCC stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 14% against the previous year. Import price indicated a perceptible expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, postcard import price increased by +30.6% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 an increase of 48%. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Kuwait ($X per ton), while Oman ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kuwait (+6.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform